Identification of myocardial injury in the emergency setting

Abstract

Within the past decade, the use of biomarkers to detect myocardial injury in the emergency department (ED) has been given increasing prominence as evident by the numerous studies and guidelines documenting their use. This review details the scope of the clinical problem, the history of changes in the definition of myocardial infarction (MI) and the new approaches, as well as suggestions for using laboratory biomarkers in the early detection of MI in the ED.

Acute Coronary Syndromes: Presentation with ACS. ARC and NZRC Guideline 2011

“…Because these biomarkers may be initially negative if the presentation is soon after the symptom onset, it is recommended paired biomarker testing be performed during 6 and 12 hours after symptom onset to reliably exclude myocardial necrosis 36–38 . (Class A;LOE I).…”